Denver Trial Attorney Blog | Leventhal Puga Braley P.C.
How a Cyberattack Might Lead to a Medical Malpractice Lawsuit
Cyberattacks are a major threat to healthcare facilities today. Ransomware and cybersecurity events are becoming increasingly more common. At a time when the global pandemic has put a considerable strain on the system and created staffing issues, cyber events can reduce the level of care patients receive and lead to serious medical errors. Hacking of hospitals and other medical systems has contributed to or has been the sole cause of several patient injuries. Injured patients are filing medical malpractice lawsuits stemming from cyberattacks. Read the rest »
Fetal Ultrasound and Birth Defects
Since the mid-1950s, ultrasound technology has helped medical professionals provide better care for pregnant women and their unborn babies. It uses sound waves to produce a picture of a growing child in the womb. Ultrasound procedures are performed routinely to monitor the health condition of the developing fetus, to detect any abnormalities, and to diagnose any conditions that may affect the mother or the baby. Medical errors associated with an ultrasound could lead to a failure to diagnose a range of maternal and fetal problems.
How Did a Patient End up With 4 Inches of Cement in His Heart?
Incredible as it may seem, a man ended up with four inches of cement in his heart because of a previous medical procedure, as reported in Science Times. This cylindrical foreign object was discovered by doctors in the inner regions of the man’s heart. It was surgically removed, and the patient is now well on the road to recovery, as stated in a WebMD article.
Consequences of Negligently Placed Shunts
Shunt systems save lives for patients with hydrocephalus. This condition can be caused by infections such as meningitis, stroke, head trauma, traumatic brain injury, or genetic disorders. It involves a buildup of cerebrospinal fluid in the brain, which can result in extreme pressure and irreversibly damaged brain tissue.
The usual treatment for hydrocephalus is surgical insertion of a shunt system to re-route excess cerebrospinal fluid to another area of the body where it can be reabsorbed. Medical negligence can contribute to shunt injury in several different ways.
Could NICU Staff Have Injured Your Newborn?
Babies who are born prematurely or with medical issues may need to go to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Newborns in the NICU require close monitoring and skilled, careful treatment. Medical errors on the part of NICU staff can have major, life-altering consequences for the child, including permanent brain damage. Read the rest »
Colorado Senate Bills 73 and 88 Change Sexual Assault Statute of Limitations
Following decades of work that lawmakers put in to change the state of Colorado’s sexual assault laws, Governor Jared Polis has signed two new bills that would change our state’s statute of limitations of civil claims for sexual assault: Senate Bills 73 and 88. These two bills now allow future victims of sexual assault to file civil claims without the risk of missing the statute of limitations deadline, as well as allowing child victims of sexual assault to file claims against entities that allowed sexual misconduct to occur. Under these bills, victims of sexual assault have new avenues for receiving compensation for their injuries.
The Risk of a Positioning Error
During surgery, doctors may use several different positions to easily access surgical sites and complete an operation. When placing a patient into position, staff should always keep in mind how certain positions may cause serious injuries or trauma to the body. Nerve damage, fractures, and blood loss are all real possibilities when staff position a patient incorrectly. Read the rest »
The Role of a Life-Care Plan in Your TBI Claim
A traumatic brain injury (TBI) is one of the most serious injuries a person can suffer. TBIs impact every aspect of a victim’s life, from their ability to socialize to their career to how they process information. After such a catastrophic injury, patients and their families need to understand the personal and financial fallout to better prepare for the future. One way to do that is drafting a life-care plan.
Allergic Reactions: The Secret Danger of Anesthesia
While most people do not have an allergic reaction to anesthesia, it can cause a number of problems for those who do.
The medical professional treating you should review your complete medical history and past allergic reactions before ordering or administering any anesthesia, as failing to do so may lead to several health problems. Here are some examples.
The Danger of Medication Errors Leading to Kidney Failure
When a doctor prescribes a drug, he needs to carefully review every detail with the patient – and his peers.
Giving a patient the wrong medication, too high of a dosage, or medication that the patient is allergic to puts that patient in danger of suffering a severe adverse reaction. Medication errors are one form of medical malpractice, but our topic today is how they can lead to a kidney damage: a life-threatening condition.